Suspended car-transfer.



PATENTED FEB. 3, 1903.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2, 1902.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

N0 MIDDEL.

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o. A. P. TURNER. E SUSPENDED GAE TRANSFER.

Y APPLICATION FILED JUNE Z, 1902.

N0 MODEL. 3 BHEETSSHEET.2.

.mrnonms vz-rcns co.. womumo., WASHINGTON D c PATENT-ED FEB. 3, 1903.

C. A. P. TURNER. ,a SUSPENDED GAR TRANSFER.

APPLICATION FILED .TUNE 2, 1902. No MODEL. 7, o P o zo P0A P o a SHEETS-SHEET a.

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WTNEESES y 'I lNVENTEIFI erally in the construction herein 5 and 6, details; Fig.

NTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

SUSPENDED CAR-TRANSFER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 719,979, dated February 3, 1903.

Application filed June 2,1902- Serial No. 109,994. (No model.)

To ML wlw-m, it may concorre.-

Be it known that I, CLAUDE A. P. TURNER, of Minneapolis,county of Hennepin, and State of Minnesota, have invented new and useful Improvements in Suspended Oar-Transfers, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description, such as will enable those skilled in the art to which my invention relates to properly construct the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form an important part of this specification.

My invention relates to elevated transportation, my objects being, first, toreduce the length of the span to the minimum, which object I achieve through placing my towers close to the channel to be crossed, by carrying my bridge-truss across the tops of the towers, and by running my car-transfer into or between the columns forming my towers; second, the distribution of the weight of my transfer as uniformly as may be over the trucks upon which my traveler rides, thus reducing the bending moment on the bridgechords to the minimum, which object I achieve through having exible connections of my traveler with the trussed hanger; third, to provide suitable means for moving my traveler along the bridge-chord from tower to tower and to provide for starting and stopping the same without undue shock, which object I, achieve through the arrangement of the cables and the manner of applying the power thereto, and, fourth, to provide means whereby the traveler will be relieved of severe concussion when bringing the car into the. slips, which object I achieve through the manner of attachment of the car to the hanger.

To these ends my invention consists genshown and hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, which form a part of this specification, Figure l is a side elevation of my car-transfer asin use; Fig. 2, a plan View showing the foundations of towers; Fig. 3, a transverse section of Fig. 1, taken on the-line 3 3; Fig. 4, an end elevation; Figs. 7, an end elevation of the traveler-hanger and car detached; Fig.

8, a side elevation of the same; Fig. 9, a side elevation of the automatic drop-hanger and a cross-section of the lower bridge-chord; Fig. 10, an end elevation of the automatic drophanger and Y bridge-chord; Fig. 1l, a side elevation of the link and portion of themembers to which it is aflixed; Fig. l2, an end elevation of the same; Fig. 13, a top view of a portion of the traveler, and Fig. 14 a side elevation of the traveler and broken portion of the members to which it is attached.

Similar letters refer to similar parts throughout the several views.

A represents the towers; B, the bridge; C, the traveler; D, the trucks; E, the hanger; F, the car; Gr, the automatic drop-hanger; I-I, the links; I, the cables, and J the motor.

The towers A, I locate on each side of the channel to be traversed, close to the margin. Each tower is composed of two inner columns ot a and of two outer columns Z) b. The columns b b of each group are connected by suitable bracings. Each column b is connected to the corresponding column of its respective group by similar bracings; but the columns a ctof each group are not so braced and connected. Thus I leave the towersV open on their front sides, (the sides toward nel,) thereby providing an open passage into the respective towers, thereby leaving the entire channel open to navigation. To give the inner columns ot a the necessary rigidity, I reinforce them with supervenient batter-columns c c, which of and in line with the main columns a ct, to which I connect them by means of suitable braces. The columns c and c I connect by means of suitable ties d, and all of the. columns I anchor or affix in a suitable foundation of masonry.

The bridge B is double-aussen, the iowa? chord e of each truss beingfashioned of built or rolled channels in the form of a box-section, closed at its top and side, but having an open bottom. In constructing these chords Iturn the lower iianges inward, thereby forming horizontal ledges, upon which I mount and aflix parallel rails f, thus forming a double-rail track upon which the traveler-trucks, hereinafter described, may run. These chords e `extend past the main columns a, across the towers A, and to the columns b, to the end that the traveler O may cross, and that the `hanger D and car E, carried thereby, may pass into the towers A to clear the channel.

a sectional portion of the lower columns I dispose outside Y IOO The traveler C as viewed from above consists ofthe upper chords g, the horizontal tiebeams h, and the diagonals t', all of which are rigidly connected together in the usual manner. As viewed from the side it consists of the said upper chords g, the lower chords j, the verticals 7c and 7d, and the diagonals Z. The upper chords g, the verticals It and k', and the diagonals l are all rigidly affixed together in the usual manner, while the lower chordsj are affixed directly to the verticals 7s only and indirectly to the verticals 7.a, as hereinafter described. This traveler C is provided intermediate its length and upon its opposite sides with double-grooved sheavewheels m, which sheave-wheels are mounted upon and rotate on suitable axles or bearings supported by the inner pairs of verticals lo.

The upper chords q of the traveler C are turned inward at their opposite ends, as shown at g', thereby adapting them to serve as guards, their purpose being to push aside the automatic drop-hangers G, hereinafter described, as the traveler moves to and fro along the truss-chord e. These chords g are connected, respectively, to the trucks D, which trucks are longitudinally movable within the bridge-chords e of the truss B.

These trucks D consist, respectively, of horizontal beams n, to which are journaled the wheels 0, upon which they are mounted and by which they are carried. They in turn carrya series of sheave-wheelsp, upon which the cables I, hereinafter described, rest. The attachment of the travelers C with the trucks D is an important feature ot' my invention. It consists of links or stirrups q, which links or stirrups permit a slight longitudinal swaying of the former upon the latter.

The hanger E consists of a trussed or braced frame suspended from the traveler C and carrying the car F. Its attachment to the traveler C and to the car F are important features of my invention and are as follows: To the upper ends of the vertical members of the hangerE are affixed gussets r, which gussets are rigidly aliixed to the verticals 7a and the diagonals Z of the traveler O, but are attached to the lower chordsj thereof by means of the bolts s, which bolts I iit to and aflix in the gussets fr, but pass loosely through longitudinally-slatted holest in theV said lower chordj. This construction relieves the traveler of its rigidity and distributes the weight more uniformly upon the trucks D.

The attachment of the hanger E to the car Fis made by means of a suitable pin-and-link connection, the link H having, preferably, double jaws to give it lateral stability, while allowing the car to swing somewhat longitudinally in order to prevent shaking of the hanger-frame E in bringing the car into the slip or landing.

The car F consists of suitable girders and beams connected in the usual manner and suspended from the hanger E by means of longitudinally-swinging links, as hereinbefore described. It is provided on its opposite sides with spirally grooved drums, upon which the cables I, hereinafter described, are wound and unwound, and with latches 0, by means of which it is automatically secured to the approaches Within the towers A. The landings or approaches are arranged on a grade or level with the car-floor and are provided with suitable buifer-platforms, constructed as follows: The front timber or timbers are supported by suitable beams engaged by a suitable casting or guide, which guide permits of a movement of these timbers in the direction of the moving car, which movement in turn is opposed or limited by suitable springs or pneumatic buffers placed between the front movable timber and the rear fixed portions of the said approaches, the open space between the front movable timbers and the fixed portions of the approaches being covered by a suitable plate or platform.

The automatic drop-hangers G are pivotally affixed to the upper sides of the lower chords e of the truss B, the lower horizontal portions thereof hanging directly below the open lower side of the chord. They are bifurcated at their free ends and provided with friction-rollers z, which rollers contact with the upper chords g of the traveler C, by means of which they are alternately deflected to allow the trucks D, connected to the traveler C, to pass through the bridge-chords e, after which they respectively swing back into place. Their purpose is to support the bles I, which would otherwise reduce the clear head-room.

The cables I (two in number) preferably consist of wire ropes. Their attachment to and operation with the truss B, traveler C, and car F is as follows: One end of each cable is anchored or affixed in one of the towers A. The free ends of each are carried out through the truss-chords e, thence over the double-grooved sheave-wheels m of the traveler C, thence downward to, under, and around the drums y ofthe car F, thence upward to and over the double-grooved sheavewheels m of the traveler C, and thence to the opposite towers A, where they are anchored or affixed in place.

The motor .I is not unlike those commonly used for like purposes, forms no part of my invention, and hence needs no description herein. I

The operation of my car-transfer is as follows: Through the operation of the motor J the spirally-grooved drums y are rotated, whereby the cables I are wound on upon one side and wound off upon the other, and as the opposite ends of the respective cables I are anchored or affixed in the respective towers it is apparent that they will operate as driving-belts between the drums y of the car F and the sheaves m of the traveler C, thereby transmitting rotary movement to the latter, that the traveler C will be drawn toward one IOO sagging ca- IOS IIO

or the other of the towers, according to the l direct or the reversed operation of the motor J, and that the car F will be transported from tower to tower thereby.

I do not wish to confine myself to the exact mechanical construction herein shown, for it is apparent that the mechanism may be4 changed without departing from the spirit and intent of my invention.

What l claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isi l. The combination, in a suspended cartransfer, with the towers and the truss supported upon and connected with said towers, each of said towers being open and unobstructed upon the side toward the other tower, and braced upon the other three sides, a suitable car, means for suspending said car from the lower chord of the truss, and means for moving said car and the suspending means along said truss from a position within one of said towers to a position within the other, for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination, in a suspended cartransfer with the truss, and the suspended car traveling thereon, of the towers supporting said truss, and each formed of four main columns with suitable bracing between said columns upon three sides of the tower, the side of each tower that is toward the other tower being open and unobstructed to permit the car to travel into the tower, for the purpose set forth.

3. The combination with the truss and the traveling car suspended thereon,of the towers, each consisting of the main columns a, and b, and suitable bracing between the said columns a and the columns b, and between the columns b, the space between the columns a being open and unobstructed, whereby the car is adapted to travel into either of said towers, for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination, in a suspended cartransfer, with the truss and the traveling car suspended therefrom, of the towers supporting said truss, each of said towers being composed of the main columns a and b, and the batter-columns c connected by bracing with said columns a suitable bracing being also provided between said columns a and b and between said columns b substantially as described.

5. The combination with the towers or columns and the truss supported thereon, the lower chords of said truss being made in box form, of a truck arranged in each of the said lower chords, a car and hangers for suspending said car and an independent equalizing device supporting each hanger upon corresponding trucks, substantially as described.

6. The combination with the towers and the truss supported thereon, the lower chords of said truss being of box form, of an independent truck arranged in each of said chords, a

car, hangers for supporting said car and an independent `equalizing device connecting each hanger with the corresponding truck and distributing the weight of thehangers and car thereon, substantially as described.

7. Inasuspended car-transfer,thecombina tion with the towers and the truss mounted thereon and supported thereby, each of said towers being open and unobstructed upon the side toward the other tower and braced upon the other three sides, of trucks longitudinally movable along the lower chords of the said truss, a traveler suspended from the said trucks, a hanger suspended from the said traveler, a car suspended from said hanger, and means for moving the said car and suspending means along said truss from a position Within one tower to a position within the other, for the purpose set forth.

8. In a suspended car-transfer the combination with the towers and the truss mounted thereon and supported thereby, each of said towers being open and unobstructed upon the side toward the other tower and braced upon the `other three sides, of trucks longitudinally movable along the chords of the said truss, a traveler suspended from the said trucks by means of stirrups; a hanger-frame suspended from the said traveler by means of gussets, a car suspended from the said hanger-frame by means of links, and means for moving said ear and its supporting means along said truss from a position within one of the said towers to a position within the other, for the purpose set forth.

9. The combination in a suspended cartransfer having supporting-towers, a` truss mounted upon the said towers and a car suspended from the said truss of means for moving the said car from tower to tower, which means consists of a wire rope, one end of which is affixed in one of the said towers, its intermediate portion supported along the said truss, thence downward to the said car, thence wound `around a spirally-grooved drum, thence upward to the said truss, thence to and aihxed in the other one of the said towers, and a motor for operating the said drum, substantially as described.

10. The combination in a `suspended cartransfer having supporting-towers, a truss mounted upon the said towers, a hanger suspended from the said truss and a car suspended from the said hangers; of the links connecting the said car to the said hanger,

said links being adapted to swing longitudinally, substantially as set forth.

11. The combination in a suspended cartransfer having supporting-towers, a truss mounted upon the said towers, and a car suspended from the said truss, of a landing Within the said towers at which the said car is received, a movable portion of said landing with which the car contacts and to which it is latched, suitable buer springs or cushions intermediate the said movable portion and the fixed portion of the landing; and a plate to cover the portion of said landing ly- IOO IIO

ing between the said movable portion and the said fixed portion, substantially as specitied.

12. In a suspended oar-transfer, the combination with the framed truss and towers supporting it, the lower chords of said truss being of box form and having double-rail tracks therein, of double-wheeled trucks adapted to move longitudinally along said tracks, guiderails above the said truck-wheels to prevent an uplift of the said trucks,astifE-framed traveler affixed to and supported by the said truck, and a car suspended from the said traveler substantially as described.

13. In a suspended oar-transfer, the combination with the towers, truss, and movable H. J. WATERS, J. W. OYEN. 

